Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen will not seek re-election as MP – National

Interim Conservative chief Candice Bergen won’t run within the subsequent federal election.

The longtime Conservative MP shared the information in a Fb publish on Tuesday.

“With deep gratitude as a Manitoban and Canadian, I’m asserting as we speak I cannot be looking for re-election within the subsequent common election,” she wrote within the assertion.

“Serving the constituents of Portage–Lisgar for fourteen years has been the honour of my political life and I’m eternally grateful to have had the chance to be their voice within the Home of Commons.”

Bergen, who turned interim chief of the social gathering in February of this yr after then-leader Erin O’Toole was ousted by his personal caucus, stated she is going to proceed to function a member of Parliament.

“I’ll wholeheartedly be supporting whoever takes my place as Chief after September tenth,” Bergen stated within the assertion.

“I’m extremely optimistic about the way forward for the Conservative motion in Canada. When Conservatives are sturdy and united, Conservatives win.”

The date of the subsequent federal election is unclear, however the Liberals and NDP have struck a deal that – if honoured – will enable the present authorities to remain in energy till 2025.

Bergen, who was born in Manitoba, was first elected to the Home of Commons in 2008. She was then re-elected in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2021 – serving the Manitoba using of Portage-Lisgar all through.

Throughout her 14-year tenure in parliament, she held roles as minister of state for social growth in addition to parliamentary secretary to the general public security minister.

In opposition, Bergen served as Conservative Home chief for practically 4 years. O’Toole appointed her deputy chief in 2020. She took over as interim chief lower than two years later.

As Bergen prepares to move the management torch to the subsequent Conservative chief, a brand new Ipsos ballot suggests management candidate Pierre Poilievre is favoured to win. He’ll face off in opposition to Jean Charest at a Conservative Social gathering conference this Saturday, the place the brand new chief will likely be topped.